Undefeated Odessa 18 Wheeler Truck Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one were hurt in a truck crash in and around Odessa, Texas, what you do next will determine whether you’re fully compensated for your injuries and damages and able to hold the trucking company and driver accountable.
5 Critical Steps After A Truck Accident In Odessa
The fact is, after a truck accident in Odessa, the trucking company and their insurers will immediately begin working to escape responsibility and avoid paying you and your family all that you’re owed — even if that means losing or destroying critical evidence and blaming you for the accident, regardless of whether they and their driver were clearly at fault.
To safeguard your future, it’s critical that you act just as quickly.
Step 1: Contact Law Enforcement
Call 911 immediately and report the accident to law enforcement. By calling authorities to the scene, you’ll ensure information is compiled for an official police report that will serve as vital evidence in any legal claims you pursue.
Step 2: Seek Medical Attention
After a truck accident in Odessa, seeking medical attention should be a priority. Even if you feel fine, it’s important to get checked by a healthcare professional, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent. If it turns out that you are injured, your medical records will serve as vital evidence should you choose to pursue a lawsuit against the trucking company and other responsible parties.
Step 3: Document the Scene and Preserve Evidence
If you’re physically able and it’s safe to do so, take photographs of the accident scene, including the vehicles involved and any visible damages. Also, collect contact information from any witnesses who saw the accident and write down the truck driver’s details, license plate number, and insurance information. Keep this and any other evidence related to the crash, such as medical records, repair bills, and correspondence from insurance companies in a safe place until you can turn it over to your attorney.
Step 4: Avoid Communicating with the Trucking Company’s Adjuster
Do not communicate with the trucking company’s insurance adjuster in any way or for any reason. Claims adjusters are only interested in downplaying your injuries to avoid paying you and your family the compensation you are owed. To safeguard your rights, it’s critical that you don’t speak with or provide a written statement to the trucking company’s insurance carrier, no matter what they promise or how much they pressure you to do so. Such interactions are better left in the hands of an experienced oilfield truck accident attorney.
Step 5: Be Aware of the Statute of Limitations
Be aware of the statute of limitations for truck accident claims in Texas, which is two years. If you fail to take legal action within this time frame, you may lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries. However, while it’s essential to be aware of the statute of limitations, you should not wait too long to consult with an Odessa truck accident attorney, as the longer you wait, the more likely it is that evidence crucial to proving your claims will be lost or destroyed.
Truck Accidents in Odessa Are Nothing Like a Typical Car Crash
Odessa truck accidents aren’t anything like a typical motor vehicle accident.
The 18-wheelers and tanker trucks that service the region’s oilfields are larger and heavier than standard passenger vehicles. Because these massive rigs require greater braking distance and generate such tremendous force in a collision, the occupants of smaller vehicles are far more likely to suffer severe and even fatal injuries in the event of even a seemingly minor crash.
Trucking companies also tend to push their drivers and their trucks to the limit, creating conditions that significantly increase the odds of an accident:
- Inexperienced Truckers: Because of a severe shortage of qualified drivers, trucking companies in and around Odessa often hire inexperienced truckers. These drivers may lack the skills and experience to navigate their rigs along the region’s rural roads and highways.
- Driver Fatigue: Odessa’s drilling sites operate 24/7, as do the trucks that supply the oilfields. As a result, these truck drivers often work long, irregular shifts and demanding schedules, leaving them overworked and exhausted. Fatigue has been shown to impair a trucker’s cognitive abilities, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Distracted Driving: Distraction contributes to many truck accidents in Odessa. Whether they’re texting behind the wheel, eating their lunch, or tuning the radio, any distraction greatly diminishes a trucker’s ability to perceive and react to potential hazards on the road.
- Poorly Maintained Trucks: Continuous oilfield operations mean many trucks and 18-wheelers in the Odessa region experience considerable wear and tear. The region’s rural roads are often in poor condition, increasing the likelihood of premature breakdowns and failure of critical safety components like brakes and tires. Yet, because time is money, too many oilfield operators hesitate to take trucks out of service for necessary maintenance and repairs.
We Set Records for Odessa Truck Accident Victims: Call 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult
Our Undefeated Oilfield Truck Accident Lawyers have won billions for our clients, and we consistently recover Record-Breaking Verdicts and Settlements against the largest trucking companies and oilfield operators in the world:
- The #1 Largest Truck Accident Settlement in Texas
- $32 Million Settlement In Fatigue-Related Oilfield Truck Accident
- $20 Million Settlement in Fatal 18-Wheeler Crash
- $23.5 Million Settlement for Truck Accident Victim
If you or someone you love were hurt due to a truck accident in Odessa, we’re ready to help. Please call 1-888-603-3636 or use our contact form to send us a confidential email.
All consultations are free, and because we only represent clients for a contingency fee, you’ll owe nothing unless we win your case.